New turf aftercare
The first six weeks make the lawn.
A newly laid lawn lives or dies on how it's cared for in the first few weeks. This is the same guidance we give every customer before we leave — watering, the first cut, checking it's rooted, and what to avoid. Free to read, whether we laid your lawn or not.
Week 1 — Water, water, water
Days 1–7The most important week in the life of your lawn.
- Water thoroughly every single day. Newly laid turf has almost no roots yet, so it depends entirely on you keeping it moist.
- Water early morning or evening rather than in the midday sun, and give it a proper soak so water reaches through the turf into the soil below.
- Lift a corner gently after watering — the soil underneath should be damp, not just the surface. If it's dry beneath, water more.
- Stay off the lawn completely this week. Walking on it presses the new turf into uneven contact and slows rooting.
Week 2 — Keep it moist, start checking roots
Days 8–14Roots are forming — don't let it dry out now.
- Keep watering daily, easing off only if the weather is wet and cool. Dry, breezy days need more, not less.
- Gently tug a corner of a turf piece — if it resists, roots are taking hold. If it lifts freely, keep watering and give it more time.
- Still keep foot traffic to an absolute minimum; the roots are young and easily disturbed.
- Watch the joints between turves — a little shrinkage is normal, and consistent watering closes the gaps back up.
The first cut
Around weeks 2–3Get this right and the lawn thickens beautifully.
- Only mow once the turf is rooted (it won't lift when tugged) and the grass is actively growing — usually two to three weeks in.
- Set the mower high and take only the very top off. Never scalp new turf; cutting too short now sets it back badly.
- Make sure the blades are sharp so they cut cleanly rather than tearing the young grass.
- James is known for returning to carry out this first cut himself for customers — a small thing that gets the lawn off to the best possible start.
Settling in
Weeks 3–6 and beyondEasing your new lawn into normal life.
- Reduce watering gradually to encourage roots to grow down and deep in search of moisture — deep roots make a resilient lawn.
- Mow regularly but never take off more than a third of the height at once, and vary your direction to keep it growing evenly.
- Hold off feeding for the first few weeks; the turf comes with enough to establish. A gentle feed later helps it thicken.
- By around six weeks a well-watered lawn is fully knitted in and ready for normal family use.
Good to know
The bits people always ask about.
Why watering beats everything else
If you only remember one thing, make it this: newly laid turf lives or dies on water in the first two weeks. It has almost no root system, so it can't yet draw moisture from the soil — you're its only water supply. Under-watering is the single most common reason a new lawn struggles. When it's hot or windy, water more than you think you need to, and always water enough to soak through into the soil below rather than just wetting the blades.
What to avoid in the first month
Keep children, pets and furniture off the lawn as much as possible while it roots. Don't fertilise too early — the turf arrives with what it needs and feeding too soon can scorch it. Don't mow until it's genuinely rooted, and never cut it short. And don't panic at a little browning or shrinkage at the joints in a dry spell; consistent watering brings it back and closes the gaps.
We don't disappear after the last roll
Good aftercare is part of the job, not an afterthought. Before we leave, we talk you through exactly how to look after your specific lawn, and we're always happy to answer a question afterwards. Our reviews mention it again and again — great advice on maintaining it going forward, and James going back to carry out the first cut himself. A lawn is only as good as its first six weeks, and we want yours to thrive.
Rather leave it to us?
We'll lay your lawn properly and set you up to look after it — and we're always happy to answer a question afterwards. It starts with a free, no-obligation quote.